Whether you are taking off for the holiday weekend, or taking in the fireworks from home, these links will get you in the stars-and-stripes spirit.
United States
American Student Writes Will During Kabul Hotel Siege
When a luxury hotel in Kabul was attacked by the Taliban last night, one American wanted to get his house in order while the house was literally crumbling around him.
More than Margaritas: A History of Cinco De Mayo
Contrary to what some may believe, it’s not Mexican Independence Day. (via TIME Photos)
Boat Capsizes in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, Killing Foreign Travelers and Tour Guide
A boat anchored in northeastern Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay sank on Thursday at dawn, killing a dozen sleeping onboard, most young foreign tourists. The picturesque UNESCO Heritage Site, flecked with ancient limestone formations, is …
Why Your State Drinks: The American Map of Brews
Naturally, Nevada is Four Loko.
Japanese PM: We Will Recover Iwo Jima’s Fallen
Naoto Kan became the second Japanese prime minister to visit the iconic World War II battlefield of Iwo Jima Tuesday. He came to pay his respects to the more than 21,000 Japanese soldiers who lost their lives on the Pacific …
TSA Gets Touchy: Another Indian Diplomat Peeved About Pat-Down
Indian ambassador to the U.S. Meera Shankar’s all-too-warm welcome to Mississippi’s Jackson-Evers International Airport last week—she was singled out and pat-down by a security agent—has sparked an international debate. …
Canuck Cablegate: U.S. Diplomats Fret Over Anti-Americanism on Canadian TV
Blame Canada? More like blame the USA. The latest batch of leaked cables show that American diplomats find Canadians a tad too suspicious of America. Their evidence: Cheesy Canadian TV.
Veterans Study Compares U.S. and Britain, Says Soldiers Less Likely to Land in Jail
A new report comparing veterans in prison in the United States and England has found startling similarities.
United Nations Report: Norwegians Have It Better Than You
Oh, come on, Norway. The competition isn’t even fun anymore.
Study: Hey, Hipsters, Mexican Coke Might Be a Myth
Don’t be fooled by that sense of soda superiority. For years, Mexican Coke was viewed more highly than American Coke because of its use of real cane sugar over high fructose corn syrup. Head over to Healthland for more on the …
Quotes: Indian-American Scholar on Barack Obama’s Plans to Visit Pakistan
“This is going to do some damage to the relationship. Now you will hear the expression in New Delhi ‘re-hyphenation.'”
— SUMIT GANGULY, Indian-American scholar, on U.S. President Barack Obama’s intention to visit Pakistan, …